Machado vs. Morales is a 10-round fight for the NABO and NABA super featherweight titles, promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Miguel Cotto Promotions. The event is sponsored by Tecate, BORN BOLD and Hennessy, never stop, never settle. The bout will take place on Friday, August 18 at Complejo Ferial De Puerto Rico in Ponce. The ESPN 3 and ESPN app will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. PT and coverage will air live on ESPN Deportes starting at 10:00 p.m. ET/7:00 p.m. PT and on ESPN2 at 11 p.m. ET/ 8:00 p.m. PT.

PONCE, PUERTO RICO – Alberto ‘El Explosivo’ Machado staked his NABO world title, the regional organization affiliated with the WBO, in the stellar clash presented by Miguel Cotto Promotions at the modern Ponce Feria Complex on Saturday night as part of Cotto’s series on DIRECTV channel 161.

The Puerto Rican knockout artist raised his record to 17-0 and 15 KOs, with a first round knockout of experienced Mexican fighter Juan Jose ‘Piquet’ Martinez (26-4 and 18 KO’s). The ten round bout was part of a co-promotion with H2 Entertainment, that will be part of the DIRECTV Boxing Nights series.

The Mexican boxer Martinez visited the canvas twice ‘ before the referee of the match Jose H. Rivera decided to stop the fight.

Machado is viewed as a serious contender to the super featherweight title. And with each presentation Machado comes out showing great skills and a powerful punch. His opponent, Martinez, led another Puerto Rican fighter, Félix Verdejo, to the fifth round before getting stopped in a June 2016 clash.

“This fight is extremely important for Machado, not only for his hand to get raised high but also his NABO crown and he is classified within the first ten in the world at 130 pounds. We know that Machado has the potential and the skills,” said promoter Héctor Soto.

PONCE, PUERTO RICO – Alberto ‘El Explosivo’ Machado is risking his NABO, the regional organization affiliated with the WBO, in the stellar clash of the world class billboard presented by Miguel Cotto Promotions at the modern Ponce Feria Complex on Saturday, April 1 live on DIRECTV channel 161.

With a record of 16-0 and 14 KOs, Machado, the Monte Hatillo knockout artist, is facing the experienced Mexican fighter Juan Jose ‘Piquet’ Martinez (26-3 and 18 KO’s) in the 10-round scheduled bout in a co-promotion with H2 Entertainment, that will be part of the DIRECTV Boxing Nights series.

“This fight is extremely important for Machado, not only for his hand to get raised high but also his NABO crown and he is classified within the first ten in the world at 130 pounds. We know that Machado has the potential and the skills but we must not lose sight that he has a great Mexican fighter in front of him, ” commented Héctor Soto.

In the co-feature, also over ten rounds, Jose ‘Chiquiro ‘Martinez (18-0-1 and 11 KOs), from Las Marías, will face Miguel’ El Loco ‘Robles (12-5-2 and five KOs), from Cataño, in another big match.

“We are very happy, we have a great event on a world-wide level in Ponce this Saturday and we hope everyone will tune in to DIRECTV. We expect full house in Ponce,” said Soto.

As a special attraction, also in the third fight as a professional, the former member of the national team, Danielito Zorrilla (2-0 and two), of Toa Baja, will take part in a four round bout at 142 pounds with Arnaldo Montalvo (0-1) from Arecibo.

Zorrilla, who debuted as a professional on the same stage last November 12, is coming back from knocking out Onyx Curras in the first round on February 11 at the Roger L. Mendoza Coliseum.

Zorrilla spent several weeks training with Miguel Cotto in Los Angeles under coach Freddie Roach when he was supposed to see the action on the Feb. 25 undercard in Texas that was canceled because of an injury to James Kirkland, the opponent of the five-time Puerto Rican champion.

Puerto Rican unbeaten and rising star Alberto ‘El Explosivo’ Machado will clash with tough Mexican warrior Juan José ‘Piquet’ Martínez for the vacant NABO junior lightweight title as the main event of DIRECTV Boxing Nights series that will feature Miguel Cotto Promotions on Saturday, April 1st at the Complejo Ferial in Ponce, Puerto Rico in a co-promotion with H2 Entertainment.

Juan Jose ‘Piquet’ Martinez (26-3 and 18), who belongs to Promociones Del Pueblo in Mexico fell last June in five rounds against Felix Verdejo in his only loss in the last eight fights, “ I am very happy with this opportunuty, I like tough challenges and Machado is a tough and strong opponent. I want to show everybody that my fight with Felix Verdejo was bad call, I am very motivated to fight for this belt and be part of the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry,” said ‘Piquet’ Martinez.

“This will be a very exciting fight, Machado has the power to stop the fight in any moment, but Piquet has the experience and the courage to fight any style,” said Hector Soto vicepresident of Miguel Cotto Promotions. “The fight with Piquet is very good for me,” said Machado of San Juan, Puerto Rico. #

“He is a strong fighter, who comes forward, typical Mexican fighter, and must be the type of rival that gives me experience and makes me fight many rounds I expect that.” “It is a very dangerous fight and I am preparing to go to decision,” added Machado, who learned that Piquet has stated that he was not in his best condition when he fought with Verdejo and will now prove his true level.

“Well, let’s see how it goes with Machado,” said Martinez himself, laughing.

The program will consist of 10 bouts and will have as the comain feature the undefeated super flyweight Jose ‘Chiquiro’ Martínez (18-0-1,11KO’s) who will clash with Miguel Robles (12-5-2, 5KO’s) . Martínez comes from a draw againts Alejandro Santiago in his last fight.

Also, the well-known prospect and former member of the National Team, Danielito Zorrilla (2-0, 2KO’s) will make his third fight as a professional. In other fights, undefeated welterweight prospect Derrieck Cuevas will be in action 10-round with an opponent to be confirmed. Featherweight Edgardo Laboy (12-0 and 7KO’s), from Ponce, will hit six rounds with Harold Reyes of Fajardo; also Juan Carlos Camacho (4-0, 2KO’s) will fight four rounds with Giovanni Rivera of Arecibo, and Carlos ‘Purin’ Caraballo (2-0,2KO’s) will also be in action. In addition, Joshuantony Ortiz (3-0 and two) will step up against tough bantamweight contender Luis Hernandez of Aguas Buenas and lightweight Christian Tapia (1-0) of Coamo will collide with Elio De Jesus In a four-round bout.

ALBERTO MACHADO RESIGNS WITH MIGUEL COTTO PROMOTIONS

Undefeated super featherweight and rising star Alberto ‘Explosivo’ Machado renewed his promotional contract with Miguel Cotto Promotions, “I am very happy and very motivated, the company has done a great job with my career. We know that in this new stage will come many plans we will fulfill our dreams of becoming world champions, “said Machado. ‘Machado is a great fighter, very dedicated and disciplined. Everything he owns has been earned thanks to his effort and sacrifice. Now everything is on him, we will bring him the opportunities to showcase his talent, “said Miguel Cotto.